Luton Town rocked by major blow on eve of crucial Hull City clash

Luton Town will be without the Championship's most influential creator on Saturday when they host Hull City in the first game back after the international break.

No player has created more than the 45 chances Alfie Doughty has amassed so far, but he will be sidelined until the New Year, according to boss Rob Edwards, who has revealed the 24-year-old is suffering from a knee ligament problem.

The struggling Hatters, who sit two places below City at the wrong end of the Championship table, will also be without the suspended Jordan Clark, as he sits out the game having picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 5-1 defeat at Middlesbrough last time out and there will be no Reuell Walters.

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Luton will be able to call upon ex-Tiger Reece Burke after he was forced to miss the last five games with injury while Marvelous Nakamba will be assessed after playing twice for Zimbabwe against Kenya and Cameroon.

Edwards appeared to be on the brink of leaving Town after the 5-1 drubbing at Boro last time out, but he says after a period of soul searching, he remains more determined than ever to turn around a poor start to the season which has seen them beaten eight times, and only outside the drop zone, like City, on goal difference.

“There was a lot that went through my mind in the immediate aftermath of the game, a lot," he told reporters on the eve of City's visit to the Kenny. "But a short period of time to think, reflect and know that this is a good challenge for me now to go through and every manager really has to go through these sorts of tough times. I’ve had a lot of success in a short space of time, a couple of promotions, an amazing year last year. We’ve got to come through this, got to show the strength, belief, the resilience and I’m determined to do that.

“It won’t be through a lack of trying, it won’t be through a lack of trying and I’m desperate for this club to be successful and do well. I hope that comes across as I’ve not wanted anyone to ever question us or what we do, or anyone’s support behind us.

"We all want what’s best for this football club, that’s what we all want and I hope that people don’t think that I don’t either. I love this club and there’s been a couple of good weeks after a really tough day, a tough 60 minutes. We’ve got to show some strength to come through it.

“I always just try to speak honestly and it was a tough day for us (at the Riverside Stadium). When people are asking you about your job, there are certain elements that are out of my control of course, but time passes and we’re able to talk about a few things and it settles and we’re able to get a real focus again and get back to work.

"The break has been good, but after the game it was a tough day. After the first 30 minutes, the performance wasn’t good enough and then the actual scoreline, the questions that came, I just spoke honestly and with emotion at the time. At that point all I did care about was the football club and supporters and that was it, so a bit of time has passed and I’ve been able to refocus.”